Should we remove randomness from D&D?

[ShinHakkaider]

Well the Stare does 1d6 per Care Level to those of Evil alignment. It can be devastating.

Crap I didnt know that. Youre right the Care Bear Stare is too much.
We shall use harsh words to admonish the PC's instead.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Save-or-die has a place, and that place is along with near-instant resurrection.

 

[shilsen]

Yeah, well. It's kinda hard to put the fear of death to a high-level PC with triple-digit HP. Finger of Death would make them think twice.

Hardly. One of the 10th lvl PCs in my game is walking around with 110+ HP (130+ in many fights with a Bear's Endurance), and if I didn't allow use of action pts to survive a killing blow/effect, she'd have been dead 5 times in 20 sessions. And that's only including being taken down via hit point damage.

It's really not that difficult.

 

[Ranger REG]

Hardly. One of the 10th lvl PCs in my game is walking around with 110+ HP (130+ in many fights with a Bear's Endurance), and if I didn't allow use of action pts to survive a killing blow/effect, she'd have been dead 5 times in 20 sessions. And that's only including being taken down via hit point damage.

It's really not that difficult.

Okayyy. Let's say I'm NOT running an Eberron campaign NOR use action points in my D&D game. What would you suggest?

 

[ThirdWizard]

Okayyy. Let's say I'm NOT running an Eberron campaign NOR use action points in my D&D game. What would you suggest?

I believe the point was that triple digit hp doesn't mean the PC isn't afraid of hp damage.

 

[Raven Crowking]

I believe the point was that triple digit hp doesn't mean the PC isn't afraid of hp damage.

Yes, but if a monster can do triple hp damage in 1 round, how exactly is that different than a save-or-die effect?

RC

 

[RFisher]

Save or die is a gift. Your PC is in a situation that should mean his death, and the saving throw is a last ditch chance for him to pull through it. The glass is half full!

QFT. Couldn't have said it better myself. (^_^)

 

[RFisher]

amazing how many folks in this thread didn't detect der_kluge's sarcasm.

But, sometimes it's interesting to ignore the sarcasm & take statements at face value. I really am thinking that taking a standard (i.e. not an already "diceless") system & running it in a "take 10" or "take 20 played like take 10" fashion could be lots of fun.

 

[shilsen]

Okayyy. Let's say I'm NOT running an Eberron campaign NOR use action points in my D&D game. What would you suggest?

You're missing the point.

As ThirdWizard said above, my point was that it's incredibly easy to put the fear of death in a PC with triple-digit hit pts, even if all you're doing is hit point damage. The details in my post were meant to indicate that I've significantly loaded things in favor of my PCs and even so, taking them down is very easy. And I am referring to taking them down with significantly lower level, underequipped opponents.

 

[Umbran]

Yes, but if a monster can do triple hp damage in 1 round, how exactly is that different than a save-or-die effect?

So, do it in two rounds, or three, or however many you want. All that is required is a beast that will stand long enough to kill, and that isn't hard to put together, if you so desire it.